Melanie Safka, Singer on ‘Brand New Key,’ Dead at 76

Melanie Safka — in any other case simply often called “Melanie” — has died … based on her staff.

The unhappy information got here courtesy of the singer’s PR agency, which introduced her dying on Tuesday — however which did not disclose any official trigger, or the precise circumstances. Her kids additionally confirmed her passing to varied retailers.

Melanie is, maybe, most well-known for singing on the OG Woodstock again in ’69 … the place she crooned as one among only a few solo feminine performers that yr, and left fairly an impression on the viewers. The truth is, her expertise at Woodstock went on to encourage extra music.

One tune she ended up writing within the wake of that was ‘Lay Down (Candles within the Rain)’ — and it apparently needed to do with folks doing precisely that on the historic gathering.

A pair years after her large Woodstock gig … Melanie got here out with a single that put her on the map, and it was referred to as ‘Brand New Key,’ which went on to change into her greatest hit.

The tune ended up being featured throughout numerous completely different mediums over time — most notably in ‘Boogie Nights’ throughout Dirk Diggler’s porn audition with Rollergirl. Should you’ve seen the film, you in all probability keep in mind this nicely … it left an impression.

‘BNK’ was additionally heard in ‘Jackass 3-D’ … in addition to on reveals like ‘It is All the time Sunny in Philadelphia,’ ‘The Bridge’ and ‘Physician Who,’ — to not point out on late-night reveals, plus ‘American Idol’ and ‘The Voice.’ Certainly, it was very talked-about via the many years.

Different tracks she’ll be remembered for … ‘What Have They Completed to My Track Ma,’ ‘Ruby Tuesday,’ ‘The Saddest Factor,’ ‘Bitter Unhealthy,’ ‘Ring the Dwelling Bell,’ ‘The Nickel Track,’ and extra.

Melanie continued working in and round music late into her life — together with assembly up with stars like Miley Cyrus and different up to date of us/rock singers who carried on the torch.

Phrase is … Melanie was truly engaged on a brand new album as just lately as this month, one during which she’d be doing covers. She was 76.